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Babin played a season-low 33 snaps in the Eaglesí 30-17 loss to the Falcons Sunday and was only on the field sporadically in the second half, when third-year pro Brandon Graham got most of the reps at left defensive end and the Eagles held Atlanta to just two field goals.

There's been a lot of concern surrounding Brandon Graham since his drafting in 2010. A number of people were (unfairly) disappointed with him in his rookie year, despite the fact he got consistent pressure. He may not have had good sack numbers but he showed an ability to consistently beat the tackle in front of him, even if he didn't bring the quarterback down.

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The main issue with Graham then was his poor run defending, which often exposed the linebackers. Fast forward three years and the Michigan man looks to have to have gotten even better as a pass rusher as well as improving against the ground game.

Now now, relax. Nobody is crowning anybody yet. The sample size is small, yes, and there are many questions and doubts. Nobody is being "proven" right or wrong, but there is something to be said about one of our most polarizing young Eagles on the squad.

The BGN article highlights a lot of the positive stuff Graham has been doing in his limited time in visual form. For those who can't access it or are too lazy to click on links and read long, lengthy, and smart articles, I will post them here.

If anything it's the consistency that's been so promising, in seven games he's yet to be shut out despite playing as few as four, nine and ten snaps.

Graham, LDE, beating a double team and pressuring+hitting the QB.
Notice how no other green jerseys are close.

Graham, LDE, beating Bobby Massie and a RB for the sack.

Check the article for more.

Against the run, the article has this to say:

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Again sample size issues apply but that is some impressive play. Although his run stop % of 15.9 is seventh, it's second of players with at least 25 snaps. The one thing that really stands out with Graham when he's defending the run is his strength. Even when guys lock on, he uses his hands exceptionally well to generate leverage to disengage.

Graham beating Tyson Clabo (not the first or only time)

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Graham's start to this season has been simply amazing.

It is impossible at this point to reach a verdict. It would be silly to. Therefore, my questions are:

1) Is it plausible that Graham is the starter over Babin by season's end?
2) How have you felt about Graham's development?
3) Are you buying that BG has finally arrived? Or do you need to see more, perhaps as a full-time starter?
4) Can Graham be a long-term force for the Eagles?

And this article doesn't include the sack+forced fumble+recovery+giving the Eagles life play from yesterday either.

His leverage and ability to engage at one speed with a lot of power and then release and attacking at another speed is sick and somes up why we drafted him so early on.

When your Graham and your built like a mini bulldozer. You play a foot or more lower then every other defensive end with your head still up. And your legs driving at rapid rate. You dont need long arm. Your going to be a match up problem for a lot of tackles._________________

The only thing I don't like about Brandon Graham was that he took #54 too early. He took it the season after one of the great LBs of Philly had to retire and stuck up the joint his first season. But if he keeps producing like this, he will restore honor to that number._________________
Chip Kelly on Sam Bradford: "We didnt bring in Sam to be a trade chip, Im the only Chip here"

I'm not necessarily calling for Babin to be benched or cut, as I think he'll finish the season strong and has just been in a funk as of late, but Graham seeing less than 25% of our total defensive snaps is inexcusable. He's never gotten his fair shake yet IMO and with the way he's been playing in his limited time I think it's time we start seeing him play around 35-45% of defensive snaps. We also need to get Curry out there soon, got to see what he's made of and I doubt any DE can play much worse than what we saw from Babin the last several weeks.

I think Graham just needs reps and just needs to be the man. Playing defensive end is really a rhythmic thing in many ways. Babin is beat yo. He needs to rest and come back off the bench and if he finds his spark again take his spot back. it makes to much sense._________________

I think some people have just been struggling to come to grips with the fact that the Eagles didn't really choose as poorly as they thought (wanted them to, really) in the early rounds of that draft.

It may not be this year, but Graham will be a starting DE for the Eagles. He may not be a perennial all-pro or anything, but he will be a solid player for years. Same thing I have been predicting since day 1.